Global money transfer platform Thunes and UnionPay International have launched a direct payment connection enabling faster transfers into China’s mainland, supporting real-time or near-real-time crediting to UnionPay debit cards.
The partnership connects Thunes’ Direct Global Network with UnionPay International’s infrastructure, allowing funds to be sent directly to UnionPay debit cards across China. The service is designed to reduce the complexity of cross-border payments by providing a more streamlined settlement experience and by offering upfront foreign-exchange rates at the time of transfer. The arrangement aims to deliver a more transparent and faster payment experience for both senders and recipients.
The fresh arrangement enables hundreds of Thunes members to deliver a domestic-style pay-to-card transfer experience, directly crediting UnionPay debit cards issued by 79 leading Chinese banks. The coverage includes major institutions such as ICBC, ABC, Bank of China, and CCB. Funds are credited directly in renminbi (RMB), which is intended to provide a more domestic-style payment experience for recipients in China. The service also offers locked-in FX rates, which can help senders understand the final amount that will arrive before the transaction is completed.
The development is significant because cross-border transfers to China remain an important global payment corridor. China continues to receive substantial remittance inflows, with major sources including the United States and Hong Kong, reflecting ongoing demand for personal money transfers. Recent data also indicates that the yuan has accounted for over half of inbound non-bank cross-border payment value in several months, showing rising activity and volume in China-related payment flows. These trends highlight the scale and importance of efficient inbound payment rails to China.
By combining Thunes’ global payment network with UnionPay International’s card-based settlement infrastructure, the partnership aims to provide a faster and more transparent route for sending money into China. The service is positioned to support a range of use cases, including remittances, payroll, and marketplace payouts, by reducing settlement time and simplifying the user experience.
Thunes is a global cross-border payments infrastructure provider that connects banks, wallets, platforms, and money transfer operators through its network. The network itself spans 130+ countries and supports transactions in more than 80 currencies, connecting directly to over 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide plus 15 billion cards via 320+ payment methods. The company provides cross-border rails that support rapid transfers across multiple corridors, with a focus on improving speed, transparency, and settlement reliability.
UnionPay International is the global arm of China UnionPay, China’s national card payment network and one of the largest payment systems in the world, supporting cross-border card acceptance and payment services, including remittance and payout capabilities via its network.
